Moving Forward in 2026

December 30, 2025 

Dear District #7 Families,  

I hope you and your families are enjoying a joyful and restful holiday season. As we approach the close of 2025, I want to acknowledge that this year has brought many successes for District #7 along with some significant challenges. One of the greatest benefits of entering a new year is the opportunity to close one chapter, open another, and reflect honestly on where we have been, as we intentionally chart the path forward.  

Moving into 2026, I want to reaffirm my commitment to every student, family, employee, and stakeholder across the District #7 community. Everything I do will be anchored in our District’s mission: empowering each student to achieve personal success. Our mission is grounded in the belief that we have a responsibility to intentionally provide every student in District #7 with the resources, support, and opportunities necessary to learn, grow and succeed.  

I want to assure you that I am fully committed to working tirelessly on behalf of this District to achieve those ends. I believe deeply in showing up every day and giving this District and all those in it my best effort. District #7’s legacy was built by individuals who understood the importance of dedication and hard work, and those pillars will be a fundamental part of my leadership.  

Honesty and transparency will be the cornerstones of my leadership. I believe these two principles go hand in hand and are critical to our success. As such, I want to reassure you that all information coming from the Superintendent’s office will be accurate and truthful.  

There will be times when District decisions are difficult or even unpopular, and as a community, we must be willing to navigate these challenges together. In the face of differing opinions or difficult decisions, I will always make every effort to clearly explain the rationale behind the choices made. When trust and transparency are present, and students, families, staff, and community members are kept informed, a shared understanding and meaningful engagement can significantly influence how we move forward, even when decisions do not reflect unanimous agreement.   

Fiscal responsibility is directly tied to our mission of empowering each student to achieve personal success. A critical focus of the Board of Education is the need to be and remain responsible stewards of the taxpayer’s resources and operate within a balanced budget. This is critical to ensuring operational sustainability in District #7. To that end, I will work closely with our administrative team and the Board of Education to address budgetary challenges while protecting the safety of our students and employees and preserving the high-quality academic and extracurricular opportunities our students deserve. 

Finally, I believe strongly in maintaining open lines of communication. I am committed to being accessible and responsive to all stakeholders, and to creating even more opportunities for genuine two-way dialogue. I will make myself available to listen thoughtfully, answer questions clearly, and engage in meaningful conversations that build trust, strengthen relationships, and support informed decision-making.  

Thank you for your continued partnership, trust, and commitment to District #7. I look forward to working together as we move confidently into 2026, focusing on stability, progress, and empowering all students to achieve personal success. 

Happy New Year.  

Dr. Allen Duncan, Jr 
Acting Superintendent